Columbia Fire Department responds to commercial building fire, July 5

At 9:25 a.m. Sunday, July 5, Columbia Fire Department (CFD) companies were dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at an unoccupied dormitory on Stephens College in the 100 block of Melbourne Street.

The first fire company arrived on the scene within two minutes of dispatch and met Stephens security staff on site, who interfaced with crews, opened the building and directed them to the source of the smoke on the second floor of the five-story dormitory building. Based on the initial reports from Stephens security staff, the incident was appropriately upgraded to a commercial structure fire and additional resources responded.

Firefighters instantly initiated multiple coordinated operations. Crews advanced hoselines to the reported fire floor while other firefighters simultaneously searched floors above and below the incident for occupants, checked for fire extension and evaluated building conditions.

Working in a smoke-filled environment, firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to rapidly locate the source of the fire inside a dormitory room, where they found an air-handling unit with flames visible. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the area of origin.

There were no injuries resulting from this incident. Stephens security staff are conducting regular checks of these units in the vacant dormitory in response to this incident while repairs are being completed.

A total of 25 Columbia Fire Department personnel responded to the incident.

While the fire was limited in size, the response required the full capabilities of a professionally staffed and equipped fire department. Fires in multi-story buildings demand simultaneous life safety, fire attack, search, ventilation and control of the building's safety systems.

The ability to perform these critical tasks at the same time - while using specialized equipment such as thermal imaging cameras and operating within the Incident Command System - is what allows firefighters to quickly locate hidden fires, protect occupants, prevent fire spread and safely bring incidents under control.

City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.